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Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Musical Radio Play is at The Bridge House Theatre this Christmas.
London, 1947. In a busy radio studio, the cast and crew are assembled for a very special recording of this year’s biggest Christmas hit movie. Ellis Dackombe plays Fred Gailey, and has just graduated from Arts Educational School, recently appearing in the musical Thrill Me at the Edinburgh Festival and Arcola. We spoke to Ellis to find out more about his experiences.
You’re playing Fred Gailey in Miracle on 34th Street – A Live Musical Radio Play at Bridge House Theatre, SE20 what can you tell us about it?
First of all, the show is very funny. The radio play aspect, at times, makes it even more farcical with actors playing multiple roles whilst creating sound effects and singing Christmas jingles in five part harmony. It’s also a very well written script. Despite being set in 1947, the questions that are raised from this show are just as relevant now in 2017. Things like common sense versus faith and do you listen to your heart or your head? That’s an age old question that Miracle on 34th Street puts to the audience in a festive and uplifting way. If you’ve ever doubted the existence of Santa Clause, the show is a gentle reminder that all it takes is ‘a little make believe’ (the title of one of Fred’s songs from the show!), especially at Christmas time, to reassure you.
You’ve recently graduated from Arts Educational School, what made you want to become an actor?
I’d always had a passion for performing and was involved in local amateur shows and youth productions from the age of five but I’d never considered it as a career as I wanted financial stability. I started the process of applying for other careers including teaching and joining the Army but it became obvious that nothing captured my interest or excited me as much as acting, singing and dancing. I realised I didn’t want to live my life wondering “what if?” so I decided to audition for drama schools and see what happened.
Did you expect to find professional work so quickly?
I don’t think anyone really expects to work straight after graduating. I was lucky that the right part came along for me at the right time. ArtsEd graduates tend to have high hopes of working quickly because the training is so good and includes setting you up for the industry.
The biggest challenge is having to deal with and accept rejection on a fairly constant basis and remembering it’s not personal – you just weren’t what they were looking for. Obviously the closer you get to a job the harder it is but you learn to find ways of getting over it and focusing your energy on what’s next instead of what might have been.
You performed in Thrill Me: The Leopold and Loeb Story at the Edinburgh Festival, did performing at the Fringe teach you anything you didn’t learn at drama school?
Yes. At the Edinburgh Festival you get little to no preparation time before you’re on stage having to be in character. You get roughly 10 minutes to help put the set up, get changed and place all your props ready for curtain up. Drama school did not prepare me for performing as a character as intense and complex as Richard Loeb, whilst also having to get ready in a short space of time and muck in with putting the set up and sort props out every day. The whole Edinburgh experience was so invaluable in terms of learning what it’s like to be part of a professional fringe production.
What would be your dream role and why?
I never have an answer to this question! I’m too indecisive to pick something. Chances are I’ll see a new show next week and change my mind again. I love playing bad guys so Javert in Les Mis is a dream role for the future. Right now though, Chris in Miss Saigon or anyone in The Book of Mormon. I also have a life-long dream of playing the Doctor in Doctor Who but not many people know about that one!
What would you say to anyone reading this who’s thinking of applying to drama school?
Do not be disheartened by rejection. I know several professional actors who auditioned for three or four years to get into drama school. You must believe in yourself in order for others to believe in you too. A little advice; you can never be too prepared. When auditioning for drama school, follow their instruction to the letter. If you are lucky enough to get a place and are financing yourself – prepare as much as you can. Working a job and studying is exhausting. I can tell you from experience that opening the letter offering you a place on that course is a memory that will stay with you forever. Good luck!
Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Musical Radio Play is at The Bridge House Theatre 27th November – 23rd December 2017.
Photos by Nick Rutter.
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